Pateman set to unleash Almighty Class at Belmont

Posted by RS NewsWire at 6:33am on July 28th

It was pretty much love at her first sight for trainer Mitchell Pateman when he laid eyes on Playing God gelding, Almighty Class.

Two trials down and Mitchell Pateman’s attachment to his horse has not diminished in any way, if anything, it’s lifted a notch or two.

Along with Pateman, Almighty Class caught the eye of onlookers at his most recent trial at Lark Hill when he won by a commanding five lengths, jumping and running speedily.

It brought ringing endorsement from Pateman, a former top jockey into his second full season of training, who considers Almighty Class to be one of the best horses he’s trained.

It’s high praise after he took gun mare, This’ll Testya, recently retired, to two stakes victories: the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) and Listed Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m).

After a couple of impressive warm ups, Pateman says it’s the right time to unleash Almighty Class.

Belmont offers the stage on Saturday in the Amelia Park Plate (1200m).

Pateman’s super confident Almighty Class can live up to his name and make the perfect debut.

“He’s my favourite horse and has replaced This’ll Testya in the stables,” Pateman said on Tabradio.

“A lot of high hopes I have for him and I think he’s one of the better ones I’ve had.

“I saw him standing in a paddock and thought what an amazing horse.

“He’s a big hulking son of Playing God and I was taken by him at the get-go.

“The first time we gave him a gallop he lit the track up.

“We’ve had a very, very big opinion of him for a long time.

“Hopefully, he replicates that on Saturday.

“I’d be pretty disappointed if he didn’t win.”

Almighty Class has shortened to $3.30 after he opened at $4 with Tabtouch.

He’s behind Ancient Guidance, trained by another former jockey, Ryan Hill.

Ancient Guidance coasted to an easy Saturday win two weeks ago after powering home from the back of the field.

The God Has Spoken two-year-old has firmed from $3.60 into $3.10.

Almighty Class has drawn barrier nine for Holly Watson and Ancient Guidance, to be ridden by Victoria Corver, jumps alongside in gate nine.

Meanwhile Pateman thinks Feels Playful can resume as a winner in the Drummond Golf Handicap (1400m).

The Playing God filly spruiked Ascot carnival potential after her win in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1500m) in February.

“She’s ticking along well and I thought her trial behind Buster Bash was good,” Pateman said.

“She’s a good horse, she’s a winner, she won a Listed race last prep.

“The company is not as strong and she gets a chance to win another race on Saturday.”

Pateman also has prospects with Miss Intention (R1) and Songaa (R3).

More Racing News

Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win

Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...

Dec 21st

Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention

Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...

Dec 21st

Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025

Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...

Dec 21st

Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024

One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...

Dec 21st

Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova

Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...

Dec 21st

The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick

Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...

Dec 21st

Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion

Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...

Dec 20th

Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize

Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...

Dec 20th

Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon

A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...

Dec 20th

Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge

Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...

Dec 20th